By Kary Booher (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
In recent years, you could count on several wrestlers from Buffalo High School being tough match-ups, both on the boys and girls teams.
That narrative won’t be changing this year. After all, 160-pounder John Jenkins is back as a two-time state qualifier, and Skyler Maverick returns after being a state runner-up in girls. And they are just two among a handful of names to keep an eye on this season.
“We look to continue to be good people this year,” Buffalo coach Nick Whetzell said. “We will continue to focus on our controllables — attitude, effort and focus. Our goal this year on the mat is to continue to be competitive as a team and individuals. We look to win a conference title and make a push at a district title. We want to have at least five boys at the state tournament this year.
“The girls look to place in tournaments, win conference, and push for district and state placement,” Whetzell added.
Projected starters
On the boys side, there are nine returning starters.
The projected roster could be junior Cameron McKendrick and freshmen Kurtis Schwanke and Case Obernuefemann at 106 pounds, senior Cornelius Kidd at 120, freshman Kesler Gibson at 126, sophomore Caleb Spencer at 138 and senior Chase Dillard at 145.
In the upper weights, Adam Mabary could be anywhere from 152 pounds to 182, with freshmen Peyton Altic and Brad Mankey also competing at 152. Jenkins is at 160, with juniors Hunter Jenkins and Conner White at 170 and 182, respectively. Senior Brock Maverick and junior Allen Reeves will be at 195 and 220, respectively.
John Jenkins was 38-7 last year, when he led the team in takedowns and pins en route to winning the conference and district.
“John got a very tough draw at the state tournament last year,” Whetzell said. “We look for him to bounce back after a great summer in the weight room and some offseason tournaments. John has received some college interest from Division III Cornell in Iowa.”
Hunter Jenkins was 22-21 and the conference runner-up last season.
“He was close to punching his ticket to the state tournament,” Whetzell said. “Hunter has put in a lot of work in the offseason. I look for him to pick up right where he left off and make a push to the state tournament by the end of the season. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was a state medalist.”
Brock Maverick was the conference champion last year and finished 33-8, just missing out on a state berth.
“Brock Maverick is probably the most athletic kid on our roster,” Whetzell said. “I believe we will see Brock on the podium at the end of the year in the state tournament.”
McKendrick is a rare upperclassman at 106, Kidd may take another step this year, and Mabary spent 11 weeks in basic training last summer, so he could be a force.
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Girls wrestling
On the girls side, the big names are Jada Watson and Skyler Maverick.
Watson is a senior who was 36-10 last season, placed fourth at state, was the district runner-up and has 101 career wins. She is a two-time state qualifier. She’ll wrestle at 195 pounds.
“Jada is going to be one of the most decorated wrestlers in Buffalo history,” Whetzell said. “She was the only wrestler last year to beat eventual state champion Catherine Dutton. Jada is going to be as good as she wants to be. We look for her to continue to be a vocal leader and make waves through the area all year long.”
Skyler Maverick was 43-5 last year and a state runner-up after being a district and conference champion. She’ll wrestle at 132 and enters as last year’s team takedowns leader.
“She looks to come back and make another run at that title this year,” Whetzell said. “She is a quiet leader that leads by example on and off the mat. I believe that she will have a little bit of a target on her back this year compared to last year.”
Keep an eye on Keara Vastine, a first-year wrestler who attended every offseason drill. She is at 137 pounds.
“I think the kids control what type of season they will have,” Whetzell said. “If they continue to come in and work hard day in and day out the rest will take care of itself. ‘Hard work works’ is the motto. We need to be process driven, not result driven.”
